Day Trips From Lisbon by Train and Bus: Times and Fares

The easiest day trips from Lisbon are Sintra and Cascais, each about 40 minutes by CP suburban train for a €5.10 return as of November 2026. Évora, Tomar and Setúbal are also reachable by train, while Óbidos, Fátima and Nazaré are easier by express bus from Lisbon.

Train fares below are from CP’s price lists in force since 1 January 2026. Bus fares on Rede Expressos, the main intercity coach network, change with the date and how early you book, so check them on the operator’s site before you go.

Which day trips can I do by train?

Five classic destinations have direct trains from Lisbon stations:

Sintra, Cascais and Setúbal are inside the Lisbon metropolitan area, so the €40 Navegante Metropolitano monthly pass covers them. Évora and Tomar need a separate CP ticket, and Intercidades seats are reserved, so buy ahead on busy days. Our guide to trains from Lisbon to Sintra and Cascais explains zones, passes and the Train & Bus day ticket for Sintra.

How do I get to Sintra, and what about the palaces?

Take the Sintra line from Rossio station, near Restauradores Metro. Sintra station is at the edge of the old town, and the palaces on the hill (Pena, the Moorish Castle) are a steep walk or a bus ride away.

Scotturb buses 434 and 435 link the station with the main sights; CP’s Train & Bus day ticket (€14 as of November 2026) combines the Sintra line with those two buses. Palace tickets are separate and sold by the monument operators, often with timed entry. Sintra is busiest on weekends and in summer, so a weekday morning train is the calmer option.

Which day trips are easier by bus?

Óbidos, Fátima and Nazaré have no convenient direct train from Lisbon, so express buses are the practical choice:

Sete Rios coach terminal is next to Jardim Zoológico Metro station (blue line); Campo Grande has its own Metro station on the green and yellow lines. Book Rede Expressos seats online or at the terminal. Fátima’s railway station is far from the town and the shrine, which is why the bus is simpler.

Fátima is very crowded around the pilgrimages of 12 and 13 May and 12 and 13 October each year. Nazaré’s big-wave surf season runs mainly in autumn and winter, when the waves at Praia do Norte draw crowds; watch from the marked areas only.

Can I visit Arrábida and the Setúbal coast without a car?

Partly. Fertagus trains reach Setúbal in about an hour, but the Arrábida beaches lie along a narrow coast road west of the town.

During the bathing season, Setúbal city council limits car access to several Arrábida beaches under its “Arrábida sem Carros” scheme. In the 2026 season, which ran from 4 June to 15 September, private cars were banned on the access roads to Albarquel and Figueirinha, and access to Galapos, Creiro and Portinho da Arrábida was restricted between 07:00 and 20:00. In past seasons public buses covered by the Navegante pass linked Setúbal and Azeitão with the beaches. Outside summer, buses are fewer, and a car or taxi is often needed.

The coast road is in the Arrábida Natural Park. Check the council’s notices before going, since rockfall risk has closed stretches of the road in recent years.

How do I plan a day trip on public transport?

1. Check the timetable for both directions on cp.pt, fertagus.pt or rede-expressos.pt, especially the last return on weekends and holidays.
2. For trains outside the metropolitan area (Évora, Tomar), buy a ticket in advance online, in the CP app or at the station.
3. For Sintra, Cascais and Setúbal, load a Navegante card or use a monthly pass, and validate it before every trip.
4. Book monument tickets separately and leave time for the walk or bus from the station.
5. On strike days, check the minimum services announced by the operator; strikes on CP and Metro are announced in advance.

Monthly pass prices and how to get a personalized card are in our guide to the Navegante pass.

Which day trips are best in each season?

Coastal trips such as Cascais and Arrábida suit late spring to early autumn, when the beaches are guarded; our guide to beaches near Lisbon covers the bathing season. Évora, Tomar and Óbidos work all year, and summer days inland in the Alentejo are often very hot. Tomar’s Festa dos Tabuleiros takes place only every four years, in early July.

Bottom line

The cheapest trips are the three inside the metropolitan area, Sintra, Cascais and Setúbal, because a single €40 Navegante pass covers them. For Évora and Tomar, the train is fast and fares are fixed by CP’s price list, while for Fátima and Nazaré the bus is quicker than any rail route.

FAQ

Can I do Sintra and Cascais in one day?

Yes, by bus between the two towns, but it makes a long day. Scotturb runs a bus between Sintra and Cascais; check the timetable and leave Sintra by mid-afternoon.

Do I need to reserve CP train tickets?

Suburban trains to Sintra and Cascais have no reservations. Intercidades trains to Évora assign seats, so buy the ticket before boarding, especially on Fridays and Sundays.

Is there a discount for young people or seniors?

CP offers reduced fares for some groups, including half price for passengers aged 65 and over on many services. Check eligibility and proof needed on cp.pt before buying.

Where do Rede Expressos buses leave from in Lisbon?

Most leave from the Sete Rios terminal next to Jardim Zoológico Metro station; some routes also stop at Oriente. Check your ticket for the terminal.